Motion sensor activated interactive device

ABSTRACT

A motion sensor activated interactive device that moves away from the object when any object moves in the vicinity of the device. Device comprises of: at least two optical motion sensor, two motors, four large wheels, four small wheels mounted on rotating pivot, integrated control circuit, memory units, display, speaker, battery. When optical motion sensor detects the movement in the vicinity of the device, the integrated control circuit activates electric motor and the device moves away from the approaching object in opposite direction. The distance and/or speed of movement of device is proportional to the speed of the object at which device is approached. The control circuit is pre-programmed to turn the motor on for particular time depending on speed and distance of the object.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent applicationSer. No. 60/925,727, filed 2007 Apr. 24 by the present inventor.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The embodiments herein generally relate to an interactive device andmore specifically to an interactive device coupled with motion sensor.

A motion sensor is the device used to transform the detection of motioninto an electric signal. This is achieved by measuring optical oracoustical changes in the field of view. Many devices are coupled withmotion sensor for different uses. In commercial stores, motion sensorsare used to open doors automatically when a moving object approaches thedoor. Many toys coupled with motion sensors are capable of moving underthe influence of motion sensor. The currently available motion sensortoys have a limited capability for reacting to an object approaching thetoy. The toys react mostly based on pre-programmed input given by auser. However, none of the currently available devices do not provide anintelligent interactive motion sensor activated device that moves awayfrom the object approaching the device. Also most of the motion sensorbased devices do not provide rotary movement to the device. Hence thereis a need to develop interactive device which is coupled with motionsensor and moves away from the object approaching the device.

2. Prior Art

U.S. Pat. No. 6,514,117 discloses a drive system that powers themovement of a toy's body parts, e.g. eye, mouth, ear and footassemblies, and an electric motor that includes a single control shaftthat mounts cam mechanisms associated with each body part for causingmovement thereof when the motor is activated.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,719,603 discloses a toy with a processing meanscomprising an integrated circuit comprising pre-programmed data adaptedto be converted to audible sounds by said sound reproduction means; asource of electrical power to power said integrated circuit and saidsound reproduction means; and a stimulus sensor means.

However none of the currently available devices provide an interactivetoy device that moves at speeds proportional to speeds approached, orstops at seemingly random intervals, for different lengths of time. Thusthere is a need to develop an interactive toy that provides pleasure forits users by mimicking chase behavior and response.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

The primary object of the embodiment is to provide an interactive toythat uses program logic to react to external input, versus interact onpre-determined behavior to provide its user(s) pleasure by mimickingchase behavior and response. For example, by use of pre-programmedresponsive logic, the interactive toy will move away from an externalstimulus object proportionally to the speed it is approached.

An additional object of the embodiments is to provide seemingly randombehavior though use of discreet logic for periodically eliminating powerto the electric motor, to simulate periodic stopping.

While prior interactive toys are generally designed to “act” andsimulate behavior (anthropomorphic characteristics or animalcharacteristics), the object of this interactive toy is to vary responsebased on external environmental input so that the inherent variabilityof the external input will change the behavior of the interactive toyitself.

SUMMARY

The abovementioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems areaddressed herein, which will be understood by reading and studying thefollowing specification.

In view of the foregoing, the embodiments herein provide a motion sensoractivated interactive device. The device moves away from the object whenthe object moves in the vicinity of the device. Device includes at leasttwo optical motion sensor and at least two motors. The device is mountedon four large wheels and four small wheels that are coupled withrotating pivot. The device further comprises of battery, pre-programmedintegrated control circuit, memory units, display and speaker. Whenoptical motion sensor detects the movement in the vicinity of thedevice, the integrated control circuit activates electric motor and thedevice moves away from the approaching object in opposite direction. Thedistance and/or speed of movement of device is proportional to the speedof the object at which device is approached. The control circuit ispre-programmed to turn the motor on for particular time depending onspeed and distance of the object. The control circuit is alsopre-programmed to turn the device in different direction when motionsensors sense the wall during the movement of the device.

These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be betterappreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with thefollowing description and the accompanying drawings. It should beunderstood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicatingpreferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are givenby way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes andmodifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments hereinwithout departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments hereininclude all such modifications.

DRAWINGS Figures

FIG. 1 indicates a block diagram of an interactive device according toone embodiment.

FIG. 2 indicates a block diagram of car (device) mounted on wheels

Although the specific features of the embodiments herein are shown insome drawings and not in others, this is done for convenience only aseach feature may be combined with any of the other features inaccordance with the embodiments herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous detailsthereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limitingembodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings anddetailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-knowncomponents and processing techniques are omitted so as to notunnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used hereinare intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which theembodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skillin the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examplesshould not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

According to an embodiment, a motion sensor activated interactive deviceis provided. The device moves away from the object when the object movesin the vicinity of the device. Device includes at least two opticalmotion sensors to sense the direction and movement of another object inthe vicinity of the device. The device is further coupled with at leasttwo electric motors which provide motion to the device when any objectapproaches the device. The device is mounted on four large wheels andfour small wheels that are coupled with rotating pivot. Large wheelsprovide motion to the device in front and back directions. Small wheelscoupled with rotating pivot provide directional and rotational movementto the device. Motors are connected to the pivotal set of wheels. Thepivot allows the device to change directional movement. The interactivedevice further comprises of battery to provide electric power to theoverall system and integrated circuit to control various functions ofthe device. Pre-programmed integrated circuit controls movementdirection and speed of the device with the help of electric motor. Thedevice has a USB port through which digital data can be transferred. Theentire functional components in the module are supplied with anelectrical power provided from a battery. A battery charge sensordetects the residual charge in the battery. All the parameters likebattery charge condition, time etc. are displayed through displaymodule. The device has memory units (Flash ROM, RAM) to store the datamodules. The device is activated through the activation button. Aspeaker is also provided to generate an audio data as a response to themovement of the object in the vicinity of the device.

When optical motion sensor detects the movement in the vicinity of thedevice, the integrated control circuit activates electric motor and thedevice moves away from the approaching object in opposite direction. Thedistance and/or speed of movement of device is proportional to the speedof the object at which device is approached. The control circuit ispre-programmed to turn the motor on for particular time depending onspeed and distance of the object. The control circuit is alsopre-programmed to turn the device in different direction when motionsensors sense the wall during the movement of the device.

FIG. 1 indicates a block diagram of an interactive device according toone embodiment. Microprocessor 112 is connected to memory unit 106,speaker 108, activation button 110, motion sensors 102A, 102B, motors104A, 104B, battery 114, battery charge sensor 116, USB port 118, anddisplay 120. Optical motion sensors 102A, 102B sense the direction andmovement of another object in the vicinity of the device. Electricmotors 104A, 104B provide motion to the device when any objectapproaches the device. Battery 114 provides electric power to theoverall system. Through USB port 118 digital data can be transferred tomemory unit 108. Battery charge sensor 116 detects the residual chargein the battery 114.

All the parameters like battery charge condition, time etc. aredisplayed through display module 120. The device is activated throughthe activation button 110. Speaker 108 is also provided to generate anaudio data as a response to the movement of the object in the vicinityof the device.

FIG. 2 indicates a block diagram of car (device) mounted on wheels. Thecar moves away from the object when the object approaches the car. Thecar has two optical motion sensors to sense the direction and movementof another object in the vicinity of the device. The car is has twoelectric motors which provide motion to the device when any objectapproaches the car. The car is mounted on four large wheels and foursmall wheels that are coupled with rotating pivot. Large wheels providemotion to the car in front and back directions. Small wheels coupledwith rotating pivot provide directional and rotational movement to thecar. Motors are further connected to a pivotal set of wheels. The pivotallows the device to change directional movement.

1. An interactive toy containing a motion detection device, wherein said motion sensor accepts and processes electrical signal input and generates an output signal that triggers a power supply to an electric motor. An embedded processor in said interactive toy uses an integrated circuit with pre-programmed logic to generate a signal for varying power levels to an electric motor to generate speeds proportional to the speed at which said interactive toy is approached.
 2. An interactive toy containing a motion detection device, wherein said motion sensor achieves non-contact detection of motion and generates a characteristic electrical signal output in response to external movement. An embedded integrated circuit in said interactive toy uses pre-programmed logic to generate discrete but random electrical signal output from said motion sensor trigger to a power supply to an electric motor, creating seemingly erratic movement of said interactive toy.
 3. The interactive toy according to claim 2 wherein the said electrical motor is connected to a rotary shaft and drive train for said toy
 4. An interactive toy containing a motion detection device, wherein said motion sensor achieves non-contact detection of motion and generates a characteristic electrical signal output in response to external movement. Said motion detection device accepts and processes said characteristic electrical signal output that cuts-off the power supply to the electrical motor for pre-determined periods of time
 5. Said interactive device in claim 4 with discrete periods of power lasting 10 to 20 seconds
 6. Said interactive device in claim 4 with discrete periods of power cut-off lasting 1-2 seconds 